Whenever the verb is underlined in a Written Expression problem, you should check for the common verb errors outlined in this lesson.
If a subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. Most problems involving subject-verb agreement on TOEFL are simple, but a few are tricky.
∇ Sample Item
Minerals in (A) seawater exists (B) in the same proportions (C) in all of the oceans of the (D) world.
(A) in
(B) exists
(C) proportions
(D) of the
The best answer is (B). The plural subject minerals requires a plural verb, exist. You might have found this question tricky because the singular noun seawater comes between the subject and the verb, and you may have mistaken that word for the true subject.
Bowling, one of (A) the most popular (B) indoor sports, are (C) popular all over the United States and in other (D) countries.
(A) of
(B) most popular
(C) are
(D) other
The best answer is (C). The subject of the sentence is bowling, not sports. Therefore, the singular verb form is should be used.
There are some special rules about subject-verb agreement that you should be familiar with:
The chemistry lab and the physics lab are . . .
Economics is . . .
The news was . . .
The women were . . .
His feet are . . .
There was a loud noise . . .
There were a few problems . . .
Each state has . . .
Each of the representatives was . . .
Every person was . . .
Everyone wants . . .
The house that was built . . .
The students who were selected . . .
The number of trees is . . .
A number of important matters have . . .
The mayor, along with the city council, is . . .
Together with his friends, Mark has . . .
Five hundred dollars was . . .
Two years has . . .
Ten miles is . . .
Most tense errors involve the simple present tense, the simple past tense, and the present perfect tense.
It usually indicates that a condition is always true or that an action always occurs. It may also indicate that an action regularly occurs.
The atmosphere surrounds the earth.
Dana often stays at this hotel.
Generally, the lectures in this class are very interesting.
They moved to Phoenix five years ago.
This house was built in the 1920’s.
Dinosaurs lived millions of years ago.
Mr. Graham has worked for this company since 1990.
She hasn’t been to a doctor for a year.
Jennifer has recently returned from Europe.
∇ Sample Item
The most important (A) period of physical growth (B) in humans occurred (C) during their (D) first two years.
(A) most important
(B) growth
(C) occurred
(D) their
Choice (C) is best. The simple present tense, not the past tense, should be used because the situation described in this sentence always occurs.
Personal (A) taxes for (B) Americans rose (C) sharply (D) since 1945.
(A) Personal
(B) for
(C) rose
(D) sharply
Option (C) is again best. The time phrase since 1945 means from 1945 until now. Therefore, the present perfect (have risen) is required in place of the past tense.
Some of the verb errors are errors in form. An -ing form may be used in place of a part participle, a simple form in place of an -ing form, an infinitive in place of a simple form, and so on. Some involve irregular verbs that have different forms for the past tense and the past participle–took and taken, for example. The following information may help you choose the correct form of the main verb.
| might be | can remember | should study |
| must know | could go | may follow |
Certain similar auxiliary verbs require infinitives.
| ought to attend | used to play | have to hurry |
| has done | had called | should have said |
| have run | will have read | could have made |
| is sleeping | has been writing | should have been wearing |
| was working | had been painting | will be waiting |
| is worn | has been shown |
| is being considered | had been promised |
| were told | will have been missed |
| would have been lost | might have been cancelled |
Verb-form problems may also involve auxiliary verbs: has may be used in place of did, is in place of does, and so on.
∇ Sample Item
The first (A) bicycle race on record (B) in the United States taken (C) place in (D) 1883.
(A) The first
(B) on record
(C) taken
(D) in
Choice (C) is best. The correct verb is the past tense form (took), not a past participle.
The Michigan Dunes, located (A) on Lake Michigan’s eastern (B) shore, may to reach (C) a height (D)of 200 feet.
(A) located
(B) eastern
(C) to reach
(D) height
The correct answer is (C). After a modal auxiliary, the simple form of the verb (reach) should be used in place of the full infinitive (to reach).
Dextrose does not taste (A) as sweet (B) as (C) table sugar is (D).
(A) taste
(B) sweet
(C) as
(D) is
The best choice is (D). The correct auxiliary verb in this sentence is does, not is. The auxiliary does replaces the present tense verb tastes.
Exercise 34.1
Exercise 34.2
Exercise 34.3